Triple killings rock Kashmir, non-local among those dead

Suspected militants on Tuesday shot dead famous chemist Makhan Lal Bindroo in the Iqbal Park area. Unidentified gunmen also killed a non-local vendor at the Lal Bazar area and shot dead a civilian in Bandipora.

Srinagar: In a series of harrowing incidents suspected militants on Tuesday shot dead three people in the valley. Chief among those killed is famous Kashmiri Pandit chemist Makhan Lal Bindroo, who was shot at near the Iqbal Park area.

"At around 7:20 pm, unidentified militants shot at Pandit Makhan Lal Bindroo, owner of famous Bindroo Medicate at Iqbal Park area. He was critically injured in the attack and was shifted to a nearby hospital but succumbed on the way, " a senior police officer said.

Bindroo was shot at his shop at Hari Singh High Street Srinagar. He was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition but later succumbed to injuries. Security forces were rushed to the area.

In the second incident of the evening, a non-local vendor was killed near Madina Chowk in the Lal Bazar area.

"At around 8 pm, suspected militants attacked a non-local street vendor. He died on the spot. The police have registered cases and investigations are underway," he added.

The deceased person has been identified as Virender Paswan, a resident of Bhagalpur in Bihar, presently putting up at Alamgari Bazar in Zadibal.

Meanwhile, security forces have launched search operations in the city to nab the attackers.

In the third attack within a span of few hours, unknown gunmen shot dead a civilian in the Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Reports said that the gunmen fired upon one Mohammad Shafi, (Sumo president Naidkhai) at Shahgund Hajin Bandipora, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to the wounds before being admitted. Doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

A spokesperson for BJP's state unit, Altaf Thakur, strongly condemned the killing of Bindroo, stating that the slain was helpful, sober and pro-poor who always cared for the poor.

In a brief statement, Thakur said those behind the killing of Bindroo have no religion as the killing of unarmed persons is never justified in any religion.

“I express my solidarity with the family members of Bindroo and urge police to expose and punish his killers, sooner the better,” Thakur said.